Major growth in their popularity for the second year in a row has seen hybrid oilseed rape varieties exceed 50% of certified seed sales in a significantly increased national market this autumn, according to industry-leading estimates compiled by Masstock SMART Farming.

Indeed, the detailed estimates of certified and farm saved seed usage gathered by the Masstock seed team from across the industry suggest hybrid varieties accounted for just over 60% of this season’s sales of certified ‘double low’ winter OSR seed.  This represents a massive turnaround from the 15% market share recorded as recently as 2006.

Overall, the estimates indicate UK double low crop plantings have grown to another all-time record of this autumn, with speciality Vistive and industrial HEAR crops pushing the total national winter OSR area to around 650,000 ha.

"Together, the continued expansion of the national crop and the increase in the popularity of hybrids means hybrid seed sales have grown from less than 50,000 ha in 2006 to almost 300,000 ha this autumn," notes Masstock national arable seed product manager, Barry Barker. "That’s an increase of around 500% in just six years!

"Although farm saving means pure lines still comprise over 50% of the present crop in the ground, this is steadily eroding from two thirds last year and a good 70% in 2009. Back in 2006 pure lines represented over 90% of national plantings," he adds.

A combination of excellent price prospects and the exceptional performance of so many crops last season is clearly behind record winter OSR plantings this time around.  And hybrids seem to be proving increasingly attractive as the availability of top quality varieties offering particular commercial performance consistency, sowing date flexibility and disease resistance has increased.

"Top of the hybrid charts and the best selling variety of all for the second year in a row is Excalibur," Barry Barker reports. "It has led the way in converting growers to the hybrid cause since its Recommendation in 2006/7 and is continuing to shine in both trials and commercial practice."

Challenging Excalibur’s estimated 14% share of certified seed sales in second place with 12% of the market is RL candidate, DK ExPower which has proved its value in trials and on farm over the past season and is rated 9 for stem canker resistance. Another hybrid, Compass at 9% just edges pure-line DK Cabernet (8%) into third place, according to Masstock, with RL leader, PR46W21 claiming nearly 7% of seed sales ahead of Sesame at 6%. No other varieties exceeded 5% of sales.

"No less than four of this autumn’s six top-selling winter OSR varieties are hybrids," observes Barry Barker. "In 2006, it was just one – Excalibur. And before this pure lines almost totally dominated the market.

"At an estimated 12% of total plantings once farm-saving is taken into account,
DK Cabernet continues to lead the field as the most widely grown UK variety.  Excalibur pushes it hard at 11% despite the fact that it can’t be farm-saved. And

DK Expower underlines the growing strength of hybrids by claiming the same share of 2011/12 plantings as pure line Sesame (9%).

"There's no doubt about it, hybrids have gained hugely in commercial popularity in a short time," he concludes. "As with pure lines, though, their true value lies in the particular strengths of individual varieties rather than merely their breeding system.

"It's important, for instance, that no one confuses the superior establishment and spring vigour shown by some hybrids with the more general hybrid vigour associated with out-crossing.

"Our SMART Farming work across the country clearly shows there's as much difference in performance, consistency and manageability between individual hybrids as ever there is between hybrids and pure lines. With a growing proportion of leading breeders' efforts being directed towards hybrids and the more rapid genetic gains the technique offers, we confidently expect the differences between individual hybrids to grow in the years ahead."